How to fit an alcove countertop

I made this for a training video for other installers in my business. I wasn't going to upload it but someone asked how we do this so here it is! Full process of marking/scribing, cutting to shape, checking and fitting an alcove cupboard worktop on an actual installation for one of our customers.
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[@mulletthehunter7163]

The easiest way I've found is to get some 3mm /6mm ply or mdf, cut this at least 60mm wider than the alcove (it's not important how much, you just dont want any less really for when you tape the two halves together later), cut this in half across the width, the depth needs to be 40mm deeper than the cabinet (if a 20mm overhang is required. Insert one half tight to the left hand side (make sure the piece is square to the front of unit with 40mm overhang at both ends) use a 20mm spacer and a pencil to run round the wall making a scribe line on the piece of mdf/ply. Repeat this for the right hand side. Cut to the scribe line on both pieces then place both on top of cabinet and you should have a perfect template. Gaffa tape this together in the middle and lay ontop of the real top. At this point set the template in 20mm from your wall overhang side so it overlaps the front of the fireplace or wall when you cut it. You cant really go wrong and really helps if your using natural wood that cant be caulked.

[@Ste_O_D]

Thank you for making this video

[@Alastair_Freebird]

you're welcome. I actually wouldn't do it this way anymore, I now prefer to template using thin strips of mdf glued together into a frame

[@katwoodytham8314]

Really excellent method and clear explanation- thanks. Using the carcase edge as a reference is a cracking idea. With solid wood was thinking of trying the boatbuilders tick method, with an undersize template-to save on cutting time. Cheers- there is very little pro info around, on fitting, surprisingly. Probably because of time pressures of building on site and lack of genuine skills & knowledge, and there is certainly a dearth of accurate yet efficient methods. An old boss of mine was clueless!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Really glad its helpful thank you. I'm interested to know more about you - what you do and where you are based.

[@katwoodytham8314]

Based in Northumberland, word of mouth, part time, working with an artist too. I did work fulltime at this, now I have another v demanding job, keeping me way too busy- the idea is to focus once again on this, maybe in a year or two. Was lucky to train with cracking small co people in Yorkshire

[@jonorme6519]

This is a really useful video which is full of detail. Thanks very much for producing and sharing these on KZbin. I'd be really interested to see how you build the alcove cupboards - it's really interesting that you build an independent with it's own sides that you fix into place, rather than using the walls of the room to secure the shelves etc. Thanks!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Jon Orme thanks for commenting! I tried all different methods over the years and now tend to favour doing more in the workshop and less on site. So we make the rigid units off site, nice and square, so the doors go straight on with no issues; there is less trimming work (and dust) on site which suits us and the customer better, and it looks better inside. I’ll add it to my mental list to show more workshop manufacturing processes in future!

[@lesterdewey7644]

Nice piece of work and a thorough explanation of your process. For me as a general builder who would like to dabble more with cabinet joinery this is a fantastic asset I just wish you were closer to the south coast.

[@michaelplays2449]

Great video Alistair, thanks

[@Hunders1984]

Thanks for this. I'm going to be making my own alcove units soon (using your PDF as a reference) and cutting/scribing the worktop is something I have been thinking a lot about and so this video I'm sure will be very useful in the not too distant future.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Actually I strongly recommend doing it differently now!! using a template made from thin strips joined with glue gun. As shown here: instagram.com/stories/highlights/18056439292248525/

[@Hunders1984]

@@Alastair_Freebird Even better. Thanks a lot!

[@Hunders1984]

@@Alastair_Freebird A quick question while you're here actually. What thickness material do you use for the 56mm strips either side of the doors?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

@@Hunders1984 22mm thick strip (same as my prefered door thickness) - 56mm wide. Covering 3x18mm thicknesses on edge

[@Hunders1984]

@@Alastair_Freebird Ah so your doors are the same thickness as the 56mm strip. I assumed with the hinges lifting the door away from the carcass a couple mm the strip would have been slightly thicker to not get a step where they meet. Thanks again!

[@karljones9832]

Cheers chaps for this. I got up early this morning 3 hours and measured and cut my oak top for the cupboard. Couple of issues, one I forgot to include the width of the doors, so had to glue 20mm on the back end, secondly and advice requested the alcove is concave so front and back fine but in the middle I have probably five mm it's literally a curve, how would deal with that. It isnt an issue as I am going to build on top so it will be hidden, but for next time.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Karl Jones I have forgotten to account for the door width on more than one occasion 😂 so I prefer to cut the top after fitting the doors and strips!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

There’s usually a bit of a curve at the back! Needs to be allowed for; measure and mark a few points off the front edge to the back wall to transfer the general shape to the countertop.

[@karljones9832]

@@Alastair_Freebird Thanks. It's an 38mm oak top so jigsaw it? Just spray painted (pain when I have to make shift a spray booth up) the welsh dresser bit that goes on top, now need to assemble. Where do you get and what are those screw spaces (in orange) you used to fix to the wall? Cheers chaps

[@bighands69]

Templates are probably the easiest in terms of getting the exact fit but can be time consuming. Making a template and then doing the work in a shop is easier and less stressful and probably less chance of making a mistake.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

bighands69 I’ve been thinking about tho since seeing the discussion about templatong with thin strips on the Facebook festool forum. My method for countertops is quicker these days than what I’ve shown here, but still based on measuring and marking, then adjusting after offering up at an angle. I’ve always worked on the basis it’s quicker to Mark and cut straight on the finished piece but I think it’s time o give the template method a proper try!

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Personally I would never make a template on site then shape it in the workshop on a job like this because my profit relies on being in and out on a day. However I can see it would be wonderful to be able to bring a shapes and painted part that stops straight in, with the paint covering the arrow edges and no risk of fluff or splinters showing up at the cuts.

[@darrenpaulgreen]

Hi Alistair, interesting as this popped up in my feed but appears to be an older video. Seems at some point you were using (or at least intending to use) other fitters. I’m guessing by your current approach that didn’t work out?

[@Alastair_Freebird]

darren green yes it would have been an overreach, would have stripped any chance of profit. We’re still only running at break even. I dabbled with fitters but had problems. Actually I am coming back around to it, with a couple of trusted guys I can call on but I’m not pinning my hopes of business growth on the idea just yet and I’m taking it slowly, doing fits together until I’m sure we’re on the same page regarding how things should be installed.

[@nathanhampson5606]

Is this video for Diyers or tradesmen mate

[@Alastair_Freebird]

Nathan Hampson this was recorded years back and intended to be part of a series that I would show to fitters fitting my furniture. I would t even do it this way anymore though, I more often use a templating method now instagram.com/p/B8g3pBAgQfS/?igshid=v9r4u6hojl1e

[@dubtownman9508]

With all due respect to you. You should make 3x transfer scribes to eliminate multiple cuts and speed up your process. No offence intended.

[@Alastair_Freebird]

dubtownman I should probably take this video down because I haven’t done things this way for years! This is my current method- similar to what you suggest: instagram.com/p/B8g3pBAgQfS/?igshid=s7bctmjv62gv

[@dubtownman9508]

@@Alastair_Freebird your videos serve a broad community ... top notch 👌

[@djsconstruction9448]

Nice video I really appreciate your effort to do this respect